You will come, your eyes full of night and of yesterday . . .
And it will be by a beautiful sunset on the bay.
Frail like a cradle on the smooth waves rises,
Our ship will be laden with amber and spices.
The winds will submit, convinced of my right.
I will inform you, ‘The sea is ours tonight.’
Your fingers will resemble the long fingers of the drowned.
We'll go forth at random, with full sails we'll be crowned.
You will ask me, eyes filled with wonder and charms,
‘On what unknown bed will I sleep in your arms?’
The birds will sing, hidden in the sails.
We will watch stars appear, the first most pale.
You will say to me, ‘The waves bow under my hand . . .
Where will we live tomorrow . . . what is this land?’
‘The night waves are pale,’ I will say,
‘From the island I love we are still far away.
‘Close your weary eyes from the voyage and abide
Sleep as in your room closed from noises outside . . .
‘Like in an orchard a woman who smiles,
Happiness awaits us on this fragrant isle.
‘Cover your pale face with your red hair.
The hour is calm and the peaceful sea is there.
‘Don't worry about anything . . . I am aware
Of the risks of the sea and the winds, my fair . . .’
Under the protection of the silver crescent moon,
You will sleep until the approach of the dawn.
The beaches will mark on the horizon gray borders of sand,
. . . Your eyes will open upon the sea's expanse.
You will ask me, not without a little fear,
About the mysterious chants that will reach your ear.
You will say, blushing naively at the noises,
‘Nothing is as moving as these unknown voices.
‘Their sweet breath cools my weary face like a fan,
But the dawn is still dark and I do not understand.
‘Will our black destiny be able to ignore us
At the height of this fearful morning I see before us?’
I will reply, closing your lips with a kiss:
‘Happiness is over there . . . But we must take the risk . . .
‘Over there, we will hear the supreme music . . .
And, see, we are landing on the island of magic . . .’
And it will be by a beautiful sunset on the bay.
Frail like a cradle on the smooth waves rises,
Our ship will be laden with amber and spices.
The winds will submit, convinced of my right.
I will inform you, ‘The sea is ours tonight.’
Your fingers will resemble the long fingers of the drowned.
We'll go forth at random, with full sails we'll be crowned.
You will ask me, eyes filled with wonder and charms,
‘On what unknown bed will I sleep in your arms?’
The birds will sing, hidden in the sails.
We will watch stars appear, the first most pale.
You will say to me, ‘The waves bow under my hand . . .
Where will we live tomorrow . . . what is this land?’
‘The night waves are pale,’ I will say,
‘From the island I love we are still far away.
‘Close your weary eyes from the voyage and abide
Sleep as in your room closed from noises outside . . .
‘Like in an orchard a woman who smiles,
Happiness awaits us on this fragrant isle.
‘Cover your pale face with your red hair.
The hour is calm and the peaceful sea is there.
‘Don't worry about anything . . . I am aware
Of the risks of the sea and the winds, my fair . . .’
Under the protection of the silver crescent moon,
You will sleep until the approach of the dawn.
The beaches will mark on the horizon gray borders of sand,
. . . Your eyes will open upon the sea's expanse.
You will ask me, not without a little fear,
About the mysterious chants that will reach your ear.
You will say, blushing naively at the noises,
‘Nothing is as moving as these unknown voices.
‘Their sweet breath cools my weary face like a fan,
But the dawn is still dark and I do not understand.
‘Will our black destiny be able to ignore us
At the height of this fearful morning I see before us?’
I will reply, closing your lips with a kiss:
‘Happiness is over there . . . But we must take the risk . . .
‘Over there, we will hear the supreme music . . .
And, see, we are landing on the island of magic . . .’